SPARK: Student Papers and Academic Research Kit: Creating Graphic Notes

In the early stages of working on a written assignment you might create a mind map. Starting from a central theme, elements branch out to show relationships among aspects of a topic.

The process of creating a mind map forces you to consider the relationships among ideas and aspects of the topic. By asking yourself questions about these relationships, you deepen your understanding of the materials. It is the process of questioning as much as the final map that helps you build the structure and/or arguments for your paper.

Example of Mind Map

You might create a more structured concept map to visually represent hierarchical connections and relationships you have noted among readings, theories or processes.

For example, use:

• circles, ovals and/or squares labeled to signify general to specific concepts, theories, or themes
• lines or arrows connecting all of these pieces to each other and/or to a topic or main arguments

Most important for deepening your understanding of the material is to place connector words on the lines or arrows to communicate the relationships between concepts (e.g., “is an example of”, or “is evidence for”).

Example of Concept Map

The process of creating a comparison chart can reveal similarities and differences among concepts, ideas, theories, perspectives and more.

A comparison chart can help you organize information by comparing and contrasting aspects of a topic.

Comparison Chart example

A timeline organizes related information in chronological order. It can help you understand the sequence of unfamiliar events. Plotting events on a timeline or placing two timelines together can reveal patterns or themes that may be otherwise difficult to identify.

Timelines can be based on many kinds of information, for example biographical data, cultural periods, scientific discoveries, etc.

Examples of Timelines